Where the Healing Begins with a Smile; From Crisis to Connection

In the heart of North Vancouver and across the North Shore, where towering mountains meet diverse urban life, an unusual but powerful form of therapy is quietly transforming lives—one laugh at a time.

Sherry Soltani – Local journalism Initiative

Organized in community halls, school gyms, and local wellness spaces, the Iranian Laughter Club is not just a wellness program; it’s a grassroots movement led by psychologist and community leader Haleh Shirchian. With a warm presence and deep commitment to emotional well-being, Haleh brings a civic lens to mental health, emphasizing the importance of shared joy, cultural connection, and emotional resilience—especially within immigrant communities navigating the challenges of integration. We need mental health support that speaks our language—emotionally and culturally,” Haleh explains. “Immigrants often carry invisible stress. Laughter gives them a way to release it safely, without needing perfect words.”

Haleh began her professional journey in psychology and counseling back in Iran. After immigrating to Canada, she reconnected with a long-standing passion: laughter yoga. Inspired by a practitioner she met years ago in Iran, she launched her first laughter therapy workshop in Vancouver in 2015. Since then, what started as a small gathering has blossomed into an inclusive and dynamic community initiative. Participants of all ages now come together regularly to practice deep breathing, guided laughter, playful movement, and open dialogue. Laughter is not just entertainment; it’s medicine,” she often reminds her participants.

Her method, rooted in evidence-based studies from Korea and the U.S., is more than anecdotal. Scientific research shows laughter yoga can significantly enhance mood, support recovery in patients with depression and chronic illness, and even boost immune function. But it’s not only about the physiological benefits. For many immigrants facing the silent burden of isolation, laughter becomes a way to connect, to breathe, and to be seen

When people laugh together, they build trust,” she says. “And that’s the foundation of community.

During our interview, Haleh was joined by Nooshin Naghavi, a fellow laughter leader and supporter of the Laughter Club. Nooshin brings a deeply personal layer to the story—her involvement is not just as an organizer, but as someone who found refuge in the practice during a critical time in her life.

“I was going through a serious crisis,” Nooshin shared, her voice steady but reflective. “I felt completely lost—mentally and emotionally. Joining Haleh’s sessions helped me reconnect with myself. It gave me space to cry, to breathe, and eventually… to laugh again.” What started as participation turned into leadership. Today, Nooshin actively helps facilitate sessions and outreach, becoming a vital bridge between the program and the community. “For me, it wasn’t just about healing,” she says. “It was about turning pain into purpose. Now, when I see others walk in with heavy hearts and leave smiling, I know they’ve started their own journey back to life.”

At its core, Haleh and Nooshin’s work is deeply civic. They believe that for cities like Vancouver—where diversity is a hallmark and integration an ongoing journey—mental health initiatives must be communal and culturally inclusive. Their laughter sessions are spaces where vulnerability is met with support, where language barriers dissolve in shared experience, and where emotional healing is approached with creativity and care.

From senior homes to school classrooms, their model reflects the North Shore’s spirit: resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking. Their work stands as a powerful reminder that civic health is not only about infrastructure and policy—it’s also about how we connect, support, and uplift one another.

“You feel it in the room,” I observed during one of their recent sessions. “People are lighter, freer. This is grassroots mental health in action.”

Sherry Conclude: In covering stories across North Vancouver and the North Shore, I’ve witnessed many efforts aimed at building stronger communities. But what Haleh Chirchian and Nooshin Naghavi bring through the Iranian Laughter Club is something rare: a joyful, culturally-rooted, and emotionally intelligent approach to public wellness. Their work challenges us to rethink how we care for each other—not just through services, but through shared presence and play.

What moved me most was the human thread—how one woman found healing in laughter and then chose to help others do the same. In a world that often feels heavy, Haleh and Nooshin remind us that healing can begin with a breath, a connection, and a sincere laugh. And perhaps, that’s where real community begins.